Firmware updates!

Hi everyone - apologies but I'm a bit new to the Pentax forum so I have a question. I have a Pentax K10D which I've had for about 3-4 years and last year I updated to a K5. I've never updated the Firmware on any of my cameras. Can anyone tell me how its done please? I've read a couple of instructions but I'm getting a bit confused about the use of the SD card and connecting the camera(s) to my PC.
Thanks
Chris

First check the firmware of the camera. Do this by switching on the camera while holding down the menu button and the version will be displayed on the rear LCD. Then either connect your camera to the PC with a USB cable (if you have one) or insert the SD card into a card reader that is connected to your PC. Download the firmware update file and if it is a exe or a zip file double click it and copy the bin file to the root of the SD card this means putting it on the SD card at the same level as the DCIM folder (alongside).
Once copied disconnect your camera from the PC, ensure you have a full battery, put the SD card back in the camera and switch it on while pressing the menu button then follow the onscreen instructions. Do Not switch off the camera until it is complete.

Steve, Thanks for the info but either I'm going completely mad or something is badly wrong! I've sat here now for over an hour at my PC following the various instructions and I cannot get anything to work! I managed to get the "read me" file onto my desk top but when I opened it there are numerous references to the download file but where is it to click on? I've done a search on this over complicated Pentax website and I just seem to be overwhelmed with green coloured "start download" boxes - download what? According to the search I've done the up to date version of firmware for the K10D is something like 1.10 but when I went onto another link it tells me its 1.31!! I di see some other files in my download file and cut/paste those onto my SD card, placed it in the camera and followed the instructions - guess what - nothing!I don't even get "uploading" in the LCD window - just nothing. Any further advice would be welcome - bring back film all is forgiven!

Try this page and see if it helps:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k10d_s.html

It has the download link and instructions.

The main thing is copy the downloaded fwdc162.bin file to the route directory of the SD card, but the text file with the download should give full details.

If not report back if it still doesn't make sense!

The UK site just seems to have the download files but not always the instructions.

You will find it at the very bottom of the page

Hi John K & Steve
Please ignore my last rant! I've finally sorted it after much hair pulling and a refusal to let it beat me! I had downloaded the files onto the SD card incorrectly. I suppose it doesn't help being completely up there in the IT Dept!
Thanks again and Merry Christmas - both cameras now sitting next to me updating!!
Chris B

Cool, glad you got there in the end. Happy Xmas

Chris, thanks for posting your problem with an update...I am not alone!!!

I have spent the last hour trying to update my K3. For some reason pressing the Menu Button whilst switching on the camera does not display the current firmware version, nor start the upgrade process either?

Is the K3 different from the K10-K20-K7 or the K5 in the way an update is applied. Just checked with the K5 and pressing Menu at startup shows the current version. K3 refuses to play using that combo. Can see the firmware version by going through the menu screen.

Going to take the Christmas tree down now and pack it away for another year. Hope someone may have some advice re the K3 update problem I have by the time I log in again.

Knowing my luck it's a camera fault?

OR, it could be an age thing

if you upload the firmware to an SD card when you put the card in your camera it will recognise this and start the process...well mine did anyway

Thanks David, but have tried two different SD cards - just in case one was faulty. The upgrade software is installed in the root directory as directed in the upgrade instructions. Done this with all my pentax cameras in the past, without a problem. Just a little concerned that my K3 may have a fault......

Weird....I have just formatted two cards and copied the firmware update to the root directory in both. Holding down the Menu button and switching on the camera with this two card setup started the firmware upgrade! Checked via the menu and the new version is now showing.

Both cards formatted and placed back in the camera - still not showing firmware option when using menu and power button combo?

Camera appears to work normally in all other ways

I don't think the K3 displays the firmware version using the Menu/power on combo, at least mine doesn't before or after the update. Out of interest which file are you putting on the SD card? Is it the unzipped .bin file or are you trying to use the compressed .zip or .exe file?

K3 is different it is in the menu system, if I remember correctly the same page as the format option for the SD cards, it is at the bottom of the list anyway.

Darts was sounding to be a good option at one point!!

I was using the extracted bin file. Via the Menu page it is possible to see the current firmware version - but it is read only, no option to start an upgrade.

Thanks for the input

I was using the extracted bin file. Can't believe one is supposed to copy the file to two SD cards in order for it to work. On the Pentax site it still mentions using the Menu/Power on in order to see/start the firmware upgrade? As you say, same with my K3, Menu/power on does not work. I have contacted SRS, seeing as I bought the camera from them, to see what they think - whether it is a camera fault or user error! Only reference I can find to firmware in the camera manual is on P24, describing the menu option to view the firmware status.